How do I remake a bath cabinet?
by
Bernice H
+10
This bathroom vanity drives me crazy. The side door and drawers are 6 1/2 inches wide and very deep. Very frustrating. I would like to make the whole thing with one shelf ,yet allowing for the plumbing. I am not much of a diyer ,so could use input on what to watch out for and how to make this more useful. I don’t need drawers,I can use baskets...we can make new doors too.
You should be able to get a few ideas from these pics:
https://www.onecrazyhouse.com/under-bathroom-sink-storage/
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/organizing/tips/g1653/under-the-sink-organizing/
Look at the various storage aids that are sold for cabinets and drawers. Under the sink, you could put in those slide-out shelf racks, or a lazy susan shelf to put all the bottles, etc. on--just turn the lazy susan to bring things from back to front. I found a sturdy plastic one in a home center years ago.
Ah, yes, I hear your frustration with these small spaces that don't seem to be useful for any modern items, and I bet you feel sometimes like all you are doing is reaching around all those doors. You likely know already the difficulty of finding baskets that fit the existing inside spaces.
In my experience with trying to remake existing vanity cabinets, the main problem results when you begin removing any pieces. What happens is the integrity ( shape, how level it is, strength, etc, .) begins to fall apart. It is also very difficult to 'get into' some of the corners to complete the installation of new hardware or parts when the whole cabinet is still in the room and, without the counter top and sink being removed first.
If you really want to 'rebuild' this cabinet with open shelves, then it would be best to remove it entirely to a separate space where this might be attempted. Considering the cost of lumber, tools, hardware, materials needed to reinstall the countertop and sink, etc. ,plus your time, to try to 'rebuild' this whole cabinet, it may not be cost effective.
I would urge you to reconsider simply purchasing a new one piece unit.
Redoing the entire cabinet with one shelf will be quite a job unless you are an experienced DIYer. I would leave the drawers. Depending on what type of drawer glides (if any) you have, you might be able to replace them with full extension glides. This will let you pull the drawers all the way out. Either way, I would put narrow drawer organizers in your drawers to divide your items neatly. https://www.amazon.com/Clear-Plastic-Drawer-Organizers-Set/dp/B01D06SMUU/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1545949244&sr=8-17&keywords=narrow+storage+bins
For your shelves, I would add a plastic basket to each and use sock dividers- https://www.amazon.com/Evelots-Honeycomb-Drawer-Organizers-Divider/dp/B0134JZZ3K -inside. These allow you to stand your makeup bottles upright and the dividers keep them from falling over when you pull the basket out. Under the sink, you can mount a pullout plastic drawer or if space allows, mount 2 side by side. https://www.lowes.com/pd/MadeSmart-Housewares-9-in-W-x-10-63-in-2-Tier-Pull-Out-Plastic-Basket/999919748 or https://www.lowes.com/pd/MadeSmart-Housewares-9-in-W-x-10-63-in-2-Tier-Pull-Out-Plastic-Basket/999919748
This is how I have my vanity organized. Mine looks a lot like yours. This method has worked beautifully for me for several years. Hope this helps.
Hey, looks exactly like mine. Only mine is natural wood. I ended using plastic storage baskets from Dollar Tree on the shelves and under the sink. Smaller baskets in the drawers as dividers. Plan to tear it out this summer with a total bathroom remodel.
Once you start removing anything structural the integrity of the cabinet can be a problem. The walls separating the compartments and the face are structural. Keeps the cabinet case square and rigid.